NOW OPEN: the MSE Forum 'Ask An Expert' event. This time we'd like your questions on TRAVEL & HOLIDAY DEALS. Post by Wed and deals expert MSE Oli will answer as many as he can.
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"The regulator is calling for a number of changes to be made to make sure tenants and landlords aren't ripped off..."
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OFT wants crackdown on surprise letting charges

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OFT wants crackdown on surprise letting charges

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And, I believe, far more useful than the Scottish system of compulsory registration of landlords. Sorry artful!
But at least this is addressing transparancy, as well as surprise charges.
Really? Because when I posed as a LL to the company the last LA used for us, that's what they quoted me (with a subscription).
1) take a look at the prices charged by the independant Providers the letting agents use: Letsure; Paragonadvance; Homelet; etc etc (google for more). Prices start around £15 for the most basic 'check', and rise to £50-£70 for the more extensive searches and full referencing
Agreed - we hear here of complaints/suggestions that some agents charge for full referencing but then don't do it etc etc. That is a problem (for their landlords as much as their tenants!), but it's a different problem, and does not apply to all agents.
LA knew that we had already moved out of our previous properly putting our furniture in storage because the date was important to us and they had got it wrong at the viewing. Did we not tell you about this charge? Very sorry, must have been an oversight. I'm afraid there's nothing we can do about it. When I pointed out that this was no reflection of the small one off charge made by the deposit agencies I was told that I could take it or leave it.
I would have liked to leave it as their subsequent behaviour reflected that early interaction however with 2 very young children I had to swallow it.
I have never come across "charges introduced once contracts had been signed".
Most agents are up front with their fees, but they still a rip-off and ought to be regulated.
We need regulation here on quantum not information
tim
Reading between the lines, they don't want to resort to the measures in Scotland (well, it's not very Conservative after all). They also don't really see the problem.
It's one thing having charges, but they should be putting pressure on ARLA or whoever to standardize them so that we all know where we stand.